The storyline began Jan. 13, when a lake was drained to reveal a forgotten World War II internment camp and a sealed bottle containing a nearly 70-year-old murder confession. Needing an expert on the camp's history, Detective Tracy turned in yesterday's installment to George Tarawa (later spelled "Tawara"), who's clearly based on Takei. Today, Altman's character is introduced.

"The story has a WWII internment connection, and we are truly honored to be a part of it," Takei wrote on his Facebook page. He said the storyline will continue for about two months. Like the character in the strip, Takei and his family were interned by the U.S. government during World War II, held first at the horse stables of Santa Anna Park before being transferred to Arkansas and then back to California.

Artist Joe Staton and writer Mike Curtis have been the creative team on Dick Tracy since March 2011.